Isolation, limited resources and harsh environment in Antarctica  is ideal for the kind of conditions faced by  astronauts growing crops in space in environments like Mars. EDEN ISS is a greenhouse regulated remotely from mission control at the German Aerospace Centre in Breman. The cultivation process at this greenhouse  is aeroponic meaning  a soilless system where the crops absorb nutrients from a water mist applied at the roots. The vegetables are grown in vertical racks, giving a total growing area in the greenhouse of 12.5 square metres, with the roots exposed in plant growth trays.

Photo credit Esther Horvath